If a < b < 0, which of the following is the greatest number?

A)     -a

B)     - ( a + b )

C)     -b

D)     0

E)     a

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Answer:  B)  - (a + b)

Multiplying an inequality by a negative number changes the direction of the inequality, so multiplying a < b < 0 by –1 gives 0 < –b < –a. Since –b is positive, –(a + b) = –a + (–b) > –a. Therefore, the ordering of the five choices is a < 0 < –b < –a < –(a + b), and –(a + b) is the greatest.  excerpted from The Official SAT Question of the Day™